On the 24th of November 2014, on behalf of the Government of France, the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, His Excellency Mr Jean-Paul Monchau conferred onto Mrs. Sumitra Peries the title of ‘Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Knight in the Order of Arts and Literature). The Order of ‘Arts et Lettres’ is a honorific distinction, created on the 2nd of May 1957 by the French Minister of Culture in order to recognise eminent artists, writers and scholars for their efforts in promoting the awareness and enrichment of cultural heritage in France and throughout the world. The decision to bestow this honour onto Mrs. Sumitra Peries was taken in recognition of her invaluable contribution as an author, a film director with an aesthetic sense and a recognized talent which testify for her love of freedom, her sensitivity and her gift for creation, not to

Top Community Care Company in Asia 2014’ and ‘Best CSR Campaign of the Year’ Piyawara, the flagship CSR initiative of the Hemas Group was crowned last Wednesday (26 Nov) night at the prestigious Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards 2014 (ACES) at the Fairmount Hotel in Singapore. Piyawara emerged overall winner in two categories – ‘Top Community Care Companies in Asia 2014’ and ‘Best CSR Campaign – Community Care’ winning from numerous entries across several Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Organised by the MORS Group, a Malaysia-based research and development organisation promoting Asia’s sustainable growth, the ACES Awards recognise successful companies and individuals in Asia across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility. This award was presented to Hemas Holdings PLC in recognition of its outstanding service to the children of the country across all geographical and

Pegasus Reef Hotel Wattala announced elaborate plans for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festive season. This coincided with its traditional annual “Mixing of the Christmas Cake Ceremony” which was attended by hotel guests, well-wishers and the media. Veteran hotelier and Director of the Pegasus Reef Hotel Paddy Withana said, “Christmas in this part of Sri Lanka is very festive and very grand. We have thus made grand and detailed plans to make this year’s festive season our best ever”. The festive atmosphere will be all present at Pegasus Reef hotel as December arrives. Activities get into full swing on Saturday 20 December when the X’mas Goodies Hut opens its doors. Exuding that unmistakable aroma of Christmas it will have a variety of festive goodies such as Christmas cake, Yule Log, Breudher, Roast Turkey, Christmas cookies and more. On December 24th the hotel’s popular Lounge Bar hosts Carols followed by a